Collapsible service baskets



March 19, 1957 Filed April 5, 1956 B. GOLD COLLAPSIBLE SERVICE BASKETS 4Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Benjamin 601d M 7. My

ATTORNEY March 19, 1957 COLLAPSIBLE SERVICE BASKETS Filed April 5, 19564 Sheets-Sheet 2 2, Fig. 6

IN V EN TOR. Benjam [n 60 Id My W March 19, 1957 B. GOLD 2,785,724

COLLAPSIBLE SERVICE BASKETS Filed April 5, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Benjamm 60/62 Mia/Jaw ATTORNEY March 19, 1957 5, GOLD 2,785,724

COLLAPSIBLE SERVICE BASKETS Filed April 5, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR. Benjamin 601a MJ. M)

ATTORNEY 3 out, may be better understood by ing description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings forming a parthereof, inwhich:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a typical form of service basketconstructed in accordance with this invention and as it would appearwhen fully erected into contents carrying position; the stretcher partsof the supplemental frame assemblies being shown in phantom lines;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the erected service basket shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the service basket shown in Figs. 1 and2 as it would appear when fully collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the framework structure forthe basket shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as the same would appear when inerected position with the flexible receptacle body removed therefrom,this view illustrating the relative positions of the top frame, thepaired supplemental frame assemblies, and the bottom stiffening rods,when the basket of which they form a part is in fully erected position.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of one of the paired supplementalframe assemblies used in the basket shown in Figs. 1-3 and as the samewould appear prior to pivotal attachment thereof to the top frame of thebasket; this view also showing one of the side legs of the frameassembly in phantom lines and as it would appear prior to its insertioninto the hand grip portion thereof;

. Fig. 6 is an end view of the supplemental frame assembly shown in Fig.5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation detail showing the manner in whichthe side legs of each supplemental frame assembly is pivotally connectedto the top frame of the receptacle body;

. Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the service basket shown in Figs.l-3 and wherein the upper portions of the supplemental frame assembliesare shown in carrying position and the lower portions thereof in phantomlines; this view also showing in phantom lines the stretching efiectproduced on the bottom wall and end walls of the receptacle body duringswinging movement of the supplemental frame assemblies to and fromcarrying position;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of improved servicebasket made in accordance with this invention, and which embraces arigid bottom wall construction, this modification incorporatingsupplemental frame assemblies adapted for baskets having rigid bottoms;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the service basket shown in Fig. 9 asit would appear when fully collapsed;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the framing structure for the basketshown in Figs. 9 and 10 as the same would appear when fully erected withthe flexible receptacle body removed therefrom; I

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective detail, showing the manner ofpivotally mounting the handle part to the top frame of the basket;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a service basket similar to the basketshown in Figs. 9 and 10 but having its supplemental frame assembliesformed from stiff wire;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled framingstructure for the basket shown in Fig. 13 as the same would appear whenfully erected, the flexible receptacle body being removed to reveal thestructural details thereof;

Fig. 15'is a side elevational view of the handle part of one of the twosupplemental frame assemblies for the basket shown in Fig. 13 and as thesame would be manu: factured for pivotal assembly to the top frame ofthe basket one of the side legs of the handle part being shown detachedfrom the hand grip portion thereof; and

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevational detail showing the referring to thefollow- Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings and specification.

Service baskets constructed in accordance with this invention arepreferably made substantially rectangular in horizontal section with theopposite sides thereof of any desired length but preferably longer thanthe width of the basket. The receptacle body 1 is formed of flexitopframe of the basket and pivotally and-slidably connected to thelegs ofthe body stretcher'part thereof, l 7

ble sheet material such as hardwoven textile or flexible plastics andmay conveniently comprise a flexible bottom forming section 2 whose sideand end edges are secured to the bottom edge of a continuous band offlexible sheet material which presents a pair of side wall sections 3and end wall sections 4. The band which forms the side and end wallsections may comprise a substantially rectangular strip whose ends 4 arestitched together to provide a strong and preferably double-stitchedseam construction. The bottom edges of the side and end wall sections 3and 4 of the continuous band,'as thus formed, are also securely stitchedto the corresponding 'side and end edges of the substantiallyrectangular bottom sec tion 2 and in a manner to provide a beaded hem 5extending around the bottom section 2.

The flexible receptacle body 1 is stiifened' and braced at the upper topend'thereof by a relatively rigid top frame 6 which is shaped to thedesired contour of the basket. The top frame 6 is preferably formed of acontinuous metal or plastic band of generally rectangular outlinepossessing sufficient stiffness to give the basket the desired strengthand rigidity. The upper ends of the side and end Wall sections 3 and 4of the enclosing band are looped around the top frame 6 and secured asby stitching 7 to provide a closed tubular loop in which the top frame 6is permanently contained.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 8, thebottom wall section 2 and the side wall sections 3 ofthe flexiblereceptacle body 1 are maintained 7 in longitudinally extended positionby the provision of aand through which the stiffening rods 8 may beinserted into the tubular bottom loops and thus held therein. Theinsertion openings 5' may thereafter be closed by stitching if desiredto prevent any shifting of the stiffening rods within the tubular loopsof the beaded hem.

The collapsible basket shown in Fig. 1 incorporates a pair ofsupplemental frame assemblies 9 each fabricated from relatively rigidmetal or plastic wires or bands which are pivotally connected to the topframe 6 and which cooperate with'the top frame 6 and the stiffening rods8'to stretch the collapsible side walls of the re-' ceptacle body andmaintain the same in rigidly erected position. In this construction thehandle part a and the' body stretcher part b of each supplemental frameassembly are integrally formed as a single U-shaped frame.

Each of these U-shaped frames comprises a transversebottom stretchersection 10, slightly shorter than the plastic, or metal hand gripelement 13. These inturned ends 12 may conveniently be secured to thehand grip element by knurling or ribbing a short section 14 of each endand pressing them into conforming bores in'the ends of the hand gripelements. i A sturdy support for carrying the basket and for swing ablymounting the supplemental frame assemblies for Memes:

erecting and collapsingihe basket iseprovidetbbydazsims ple-r: pivotalconnection. of'the paired legs 1110f each u shaped frame to" oppositesides of the"topi .frame'6; This: pivotal connectionincludes. a clip'15: formedwith I a collar-.- encircling and tightly pressed around anofiset section 11'- medially of each leg zlli Ends. 11'. of the offset11" firmly restrain the clip 15* against displacement 'along the leg;11,and asuitable rivet '16 pivotally" secures the clip 15 to the topframe6.. This?-rivet.16

one-fourth the length ofthe basket from the end walls.

This provides foreasein manipulating-the handles by simply. swingingthem to and from carrying position-andprovides an overcenter latching ofthe stretcher' part in the fully expanded position.

As the handle parts of'the frame'are swungthrough the center positionperpendicular to the top frame, the

bottom stretcher section 10 is brought to bear-outwardly against thebottom wall'2 of the receptacle, extending it outwardly away from thetop frame '6 further th'an the 1 height of the receptacle side 3, asshownin-phant'or'n lines in-Fig. 8. This is made'possibleby reasonof aslight outward flare in the legs 11 and the shorter'length= ofthetransverse stretcher bottom section 10 than the Width of the bottom wall2. These'fe'amres allow the stiffening" rods 8 "to move inwardlyslightlytow'ards each other during this operation andpermit the outer edges ofthe bottom wallsto extend downwardlyto allow for deformation of thebottom wall without In order furtherto minimize stress of the sheetmaterial forming the receptacle body during this movement of thestretcher parts of the supplemental frame assemblies, the stiffeningrods'8 are made slightly shorter than the" length of the basket. Thisallows the bottoms of the end walls 4 to move slightly inwardly, asshown in phantom lines'in Fig. 8', and further facilitates the outwarddeformationof thebottom wall. In addition, the flare of the side legs 11of the frame assemblies helps prevent undue rubbing of these legsagainst the fabric of theside walls 3 and facilitates the swinging ofthe supplemental frame as semblies by avoiding interference between thetwoinn'er ends thereof in passing to and from their inner positions.

In the fully expanded position, the bottom stretcher sections 10 fitsnugly'into the junctures' of theend walls 4 and the bottom wall 2, andpressure on anypart of the receptacle body tends to force the stretchersections 1 0 more firmly against the end walls. A positive swinging ofthe handles through their center positions'is required inorder to permitcollapse of the receptacle. Thus, this mounting of the supplementalframe assembliespro vides' a simple arrangement for latching the framestructure in, erected position and preventing undesirable accidentalcollapsing of the basket. The stiffening rods 8 maintain theconfiguration of the bottom wall 2 in longitudinally extended positionand prevent interference of the flexible material of the bottom wallwith theswinging movement of the stretcher parts of the frame:assemblies. This assures'smooth expansion and collapse and compactfold-' ing of the receptacle body. The simplemountingof the frameassemblies entirely on the top frame 6 and completely free of the-bottomand the flexible sides of the basket provides a basket body havingsurfaceswhich are free of obstructions. This makes it possibleconveniently to empty and to clean the inside of the basket.

Another form of this invention is illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, 11, and'12,--in' whichthe-bottom wall of-the re ceptacle body is maderelativelyrigid. In thisbasket}:

the flexible receptacle body has side and end walls formed- 6 withuppenportions; which areconnected to aetopifrani 6;: :as"; in. the-construction showne in l-iig. 1: The walli-ofthe receptacle ismadestiflirby the; provision ofiaa liner: platformslTof thin, rigid;lightweight: sheet mate? rial, such as plywood or hard sheet-plastic;removablyr seated on" the bottom'section. 2* of the: flexible:material?forming the receptaclebody:

Inthis-"rigid bottom: type basket structure; :a supplemental frameassemblies. is provided forerectingti and carrying thebasket. Eachz'ofthese supplementalframe assemblies is: formed intwo separatei handleand-: stretcher parts-a and b, separately pivoted to the' toli frame 6:This: separate structureistrequired in ordr tow provide for relative Flengthening and? shortening: thedistance betweenth'e transversestretcher p'artbbttom:sec"-- tion and the pivotal mounting ofther-handle parts as th frame assemblies ane swung';be'tweerr folded:and erei'cted positions.- This-isrmade necessary; because the' rigid bottom wall is notdeformable, "as in thef-basketr sliown iira Fig. 1.

Each-"of these: frame; assemblies-comprises a substantiailyU-shapedstretcher: part bhaving a transverse? bottonrstretcher section'18 and a: pair of" legs 19'extending:: upwardly therefrom? Thestretcher parts b are piv otally connected-to the top frame 6 a reprovide. for swing ing them downeto bear-*against-the'liner 'platform ll 'fr pressing it.= against the -bottoms wall'2 of the rece'p'taclebody; therebytoaexpand the side 'and end walls ofthe receptacleintofully 'erectedposition. This pivotalcon *nectiorrofth'e stretcher'partsb alsoprovides for siniplyl" A pivotal mounting-for the stretcher partb" is con veniently provided byformingtheiends of the paired legs 19 0f"the stretcher partsr as eyes or loops-19" and ieotallymounting theseendsof the pa'ired'legs of each stretcher part on opposite sides-of the topframe at points spaced inwardly 'froin the ends of the top framelongitudinally spaced. from the correspondingends'fof the paired legs ofthe other stretcher part. The-pivotal mounting? includes a suitablerivet '20, which extends" through: an outer washer 21 the sheetmaterialextending around the top frame 6; through an apertureinthe -top frame'6,the eye 19 at the upper'end-of the leg 19'," are an inner washer 21'.Expansion of the collapsible body of the'basket "is facilitated byforming the supplemental frameassemblies with U-shaped handle parts a,eachpreferablymadbf a single-band of relativelyrigid materiahsuch asmetal or hard plastic. Each of these U-shaped handle parts a is r'ormed'with apart of legs 23"joined at theirouter" ends by a transverse handgrip section 24. Thesehandle parts are pivotally mounted onthetop-frame6"by"suit ably 'cormectingeach leg 23, intermediate the endsthere of, to opposite sides of the top 'frameat points spaced inwardlyfrom the pivotal mountings of the eyc's '19- of the stretcher part'legs19 and longitudinally spacedfrom the corresponding pivotal mountingsofthelgs" of the other handle part. Each of these pivotal mount ings ofthelegs 23 on the top frame- 6 m'ayconvenintly comprise a suitable rivet25, which extends throligh' an outer washer 26, through theflexible-bodymaterial around the top frame 6, through an apertllire inthe-"top frame 6, preferably through a spacing'wa'sher 27 arranged"between the inner sideof the top frame"'6 and the"a'cl jacent .side ofthe leg 23, through an aperture in the leg- 23-, and an inner washer26".

The handle part a of eachsupplemental framers op-- eratively 'connectedto itsstretcher partb such'that when it'is manip'ulated in'one directionthe hand' grip seetio 24 are brought into juxtaposes handle carryingpasta and. the stretcher parts b" are broughtinto body expanse oppositedirection they permit collapse of the receptacle body. This connectionof the handle part to the stretcher part is conveniently providing apivotally and longitudinallyxslidable connection of the inner end ofeach of the handle part legs 23 team intermediate section of theadjacent stretcher part leg 19 .to provide a connection therewith whichcan be moved both pivotally relatively thereto and longitudinallyslidablythereon. This pivotal and longitudinally slidable connection isformed by securing the inner end of each handle part leg 23 to astretcher part leg 19 by a clip 28 having a collar 28' longitudinallyslidably extending around an intermediate section of the stretcher partleg 19. Each clip 28 is formed with a pair of tabs 28" extending fromits collar 28' and pivotally secured to the inner end of a handle partleg 23 by a suitable rivet 29, which extends through an outer washer 30,registering apertures in the clip tabs28", an aperture in the end of thehandle part leg 23, and an inner washer 30.

Expansion of the receptacle body may be obtained simply; by swinging thetransverse hand grip sections 24 upwardly into close proximity with eachother, as shown in Fig. 9.' This manipulation of the handle parts acauses the legs to swing downwardly and thereby to exert a force uponthe intermediate section of the stretcher part legs 19.. As a result,the transverse stretcher bottom sections 18 are swung downwardly intoengagement with the liner platform 17 and cause it to bear against theflexible bottom wall 2, so as to expand theflexible body 1- of thebasket while maintaining the rigid rectangular configuration of thebottom of the basket.

'Each stretcher part leg 19 is formed with an angular offsetv projection19", formed in the wire or other material comprising the leg 19, forlimiting the upward longitudinal sliding movement of the clip 28 to aposition which fixes the erected carrying position of the handle parts awith the transverse hand grip sections 24 in juxtaposed basket carryingpositions. This assures against accidentally swinging the hand gripsections of the supplemental frame assemblies past the carryingpositions, whichwould result in an undesirable looseness or slack inthesheet material forming the sides and ends of the receptacle body. Italso provides a completely self-contained handle frame assembly, free ofall connections with the bottom and the flexible sides of the basket, sothat it can be conveniently cleaned and emptied.

A. compact folding of the supplemental frames is further assured byforming the handle part legs 23 slightly bowed inwardly, so that, in thecollapsed position of the frame assemblies, there is clearance betweenthe legs 23 and the pivotal mountings of the ends of the stretcher partlegs 19. In addition, the lower ends of the stretcher part legs 19,adjacent the transverse stretcher section 18, are formed at an inwardlyextending angle to the intermediate section thereof. This results in aclose nesting of these ends around the ends of the other frame assemblywhen in collapsed position, as is best illustrated in Fig. 10. Thisprovides a durable collapsible basket with a simple dual handle operatedframe of sturdy construction for supporting and carrying the basket andfor easy manipulation for expanding and collapsing the receptacle body.

A third embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the drawings inFigs. 13, 14, 15, and 16, in which the receptacle body is substantiallythe same as that shown in Figs. ;1 and 9, and two supplemental two-partframe assemblies, similar to those shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, areprovided for expanding the receptacle body and maintaining it erect. Thebottom of the basket is made rigid by a relatively thin, lightweightrigidliner platform 15, and-the stretcher parts b' of the supplementalframe are the same min the basket shown in Figs. 9-11. This formofbasket is primarily directed to providing a sturdy,

yet lighterwelght, construction than that shown in Fig. 9.

In the present construction, the supplemental frame assemblies. areprovided with U-shaped handle parts a".

formed by rigid legs 32 of plastic or metal wires or bands,

separately formed as shown'in Fig. 14, with inturned upper ends 33joined by transversely extending, relatively lightweight hand gripelements 34 of wood, hard plastic,

or metal. The legs132 of each handle *part are securely fastened to oneof the hand grip elements 34 in any suitable manner, which mayconveniently include ribbed or knurled sections 33' of the inturned ends33, pressed into 'i conforming bores in the ends. of a hand grip element34. -In this construction, the legs are pivotally connected by anysuitable means, as by clips 35, to the top frame 6, inwardly of thepivotal mountings of the stretcher parts. Each of these clips 35 isformed with a collar 35' tightly encircling an offset section 32intermediate the ends of, a

leg 32. The ends of the offset section 32 serve to secure the clipagainst longitudinal displacement relative to the leg and securelyfixtits positionk Tabs 35" extend from the collar 35' and are preferablybent slightly' outwardly, so as to space theleg 32 from the adjacentside of the top frame 6 a distance about the thickness of a pair of cliptabs-to provide for good alignment of the end of the leg 32 in itsconnection to the stretcher part. .The clips 35 are each pivotallysecured to the top frame 6 by a rivet 36, which extends through anyouter washer 37, the flexible material around the top frame 6, anaperture'in the top frame 6-, the clip tabs 35", and an inner washer37'.

the inner end of each leg 32 of the handle part a pivotally andlongitudinally slidably to an intermediate section of the adjacent leg19 of the stretcher part of the This pivotal'and slidableconnectionframe assemblies. comprises a clip 28 having a collar 28longitudinally slidably fitted around an intermediate section of astretcher leg 19 and having a pair of tabs 28" to which the inner end oftheadjacent handle part leg 32 is pivotally secured. This inner end ofeach handle part leg 32 is conveniently formed as an eye or loop 32"which is pivotally secured to the clip tabs 28' by a pivot pin formed bya suitable rivet 38 extending through the eye 32", through registeringapertures in the'tabs 28", and through washers 39 under each rivet head.

With this construction, a simple of the hand grip. elements 34 intocarrying position in close proximity to each other exerts a force uponthe intermediate sections of the stretcher part legs 19 and swings thebottom transverse stretcher sections 18 downwardly against the linerplatform 17, so as to press it away from the top frame 6 and thereby toexpand the flexible receptacle body 1 while maintaining rigid theconfiguration Each stretcher vpart leg 19 is made with an angular ofisetprojection 19" formed in the wire, or other material, comprising the leg19 and functions, as in the construction shown in Figs. 9-12, to fix theerected position of the stretcher parts 1; and the carrying position ofthe handle parts g1" by fixing the topmost position to which the clips28 can slide along the stretcher part legs 19.

Compactness of the collapsed basket is further as- .sured by forming thehandlepart legs 32 bowed slightly inwardly between their pivotalmountings to the top frame 6 and their inturned outer ends 3 3 toprovide a suitable clearancebetween' the legs 32 and the pivotalmountings of the upper ends of the stretcher part legs 19 on the topframe 6. In addition, 'a compact folded assembly of the e swingingmanipulation I desired? framework efithe basket; when ineollapsedposrtiengris further assured byferming the'lbw'efefids 'of thestretclier' pan -legs I9; adjacent' the bottom transverse stretcher sectioii 18 "ata'- slight inwardly? extending angli to the in termediatesection theredti- This preividesfor closelynest: 5 ing 'theseendsaroundthe ends theother supplemental 5 frame assembly whenin:cotlla'ps'ecl jpcisitidni' Service I baskets: constructed "inacco'rdance with "this 'in vention' are paiticularly adapted 'a'ndsuited for use by" customers in" self-service stores, but have 'rna'ny'other" 10 practical uses:- where strong'and dnrablebasizets of lightweight are desired. The sturdy and convenient du'alsup'-= plern'ental'frame assemblies forrexpandin g :and collapsing the? receptacle body 'ofthe" ba'sket' make it especially pie 1 ticai'where it"is to be'nsedby'rnan'y difiere'nt persons hav inglrnany' difirent" habits of care andvarying' degrees of mechanical: -'aptitude' for" manipulating?- the?expansible framework of 'the ba'sketr The arrangementsfofmain tainitigfthe= configuration of the bottom wall of "the re ceptacle in--loiigitudina1ly extended position, including the i stiffeningrods andthe 'linefplatformjadd greatly "to' the practicability-of thebasketsfor'use by the'geheral-publiq While certain novel 'featuresofthis'inventiori'have been" disclosed herein? and are?-pointedf"outtwitht'partic'inlarity" the claims, it will be understood that'variouschanges? modifications, substitutions, and omissions mawbe 'made bytlio'seskilled in th'e artWithdutdepartifi'frointhespirit and-scope ofthis invention:

What-isclaimedds':

it A collapsible-'service:'basket 'incllidiirgrin cor'nbiira tion; a'.receptacle body presenting a bottom wall nd fleiti bl'e, side andgendwalls coniiectedtothe peripheralportionf of- :said-btittom' wall -rig idmeans fen-maintaining sa'i 4 bottom wall in 'longitudinally extendedpbs'itiong a retation; a receptacle body'- formedbf flexibl 'rnaterialpresent- V ing a bottom Wall andenclc'singiside 'and 'end wallg rigidmeans for maintaining said bottorn-vvall in longitudinallyextendedqposition, arelatively rigidtop frame having side and,endgsections connected to the upperportions-off.said side and endwalls, and a pair of supplemental frame assemblies each presenting ahandIe pa'rt" having-a hand grip section operatively connected; to astretcher part,;sa'id' frameassemblies being :pivotallyconnected" in'lon' t d f l pacedrelation tosaid side sectionsof: said-top frame; saidpaired frame-assembliesbeing operative when manipulated in one directionto bring said hand" grip secti ns of the handle parts thereof intojuxtaposedbasket' ca ngiposition andthestretcher parts thereof intobodyexpanding and erecting position and when manipulatedinthe oppositedirection to permit collapse of the'recepta'cle body. I V A p 3.; Acollapsible basket including inv combination; a" receptacle bodypresentingfa bottom 'walland-collapsible side and end walls connected tothe corresponding periph eralaportionsof said bottom wall, said bottomwall -in-- 7 0' corporating means for maintaining the-same inlongitudinally extended positiom a relatively rigid top frame'havingsidefandendlsections connected tothe upper portions of I said side and" endwallsfof said receptacleb'ody,*a pain of supple'iriental frameassemblies each presenting ahandle stretcher parts toioppositeSideSECilOIlSOf said topframe' in paired and longitndinallyspacedrrelation, saidstretcher partssbeing-operative Whenrmani'pulated in onedirection to stretch said side'a'nd end Walls from collapsedtoerectecli' position and-when: manipulated in the opposite directiontopermit collapse ofisaid'side'and'end walls of the recep tacle body.

4-; A collapsible service basket including: in-combina-Y- tiongtareceptacle body'forrned of flexible sheet'm'aterialz' presentingabottom'wall and enclosing side'and endwallsit rigidirneansfor"maintainingsaidbottom Wall in'lon'g'? tudinally extendedpositionyarelatively rigid top frame" having side andendsectionsrconnected'to the upper portion's ofthe:corresponding side-andend walls of said? receptacle body; 'a pairof supplementalframeassemblie's; each presenting a "handlepart having .a hand gripsection' and a stretcher:part-operatively connectedto said handlepartneach ofsaid stret'cherparts having a transverse' sec* tion and-a pairofzlegsr-extending': therefrom, andvrn'eans forpivotally connectingsaidpaired legsof both stretcher. parts 'inpaired and "longitudinallyspaced'relationto said side sections- 0f said top frame; said pairedframe assenie blies-being-operativewhen' manipulatedsin one direction tobring-said-handgripsections-of the handle parts thereof intoPjuxtapos'edbasket carryingposition and the stretcher 4 parts; thereof intobodyexpan'ding and erecting positionand: when: manipulated intheopposite direction to permit collapse ofsaidreceptaelebody.

5 ;;-A -'collapsible service basketincluding -in-cornbination; areceptacle bodypresenting a bottom wall' and collapsible side and endvwalls, rigid-mean's for maintaining;

saidybottomwallin longitudinally extended position, a relatively rigidtop frame having side of-saidreceptacle body; a pair ofsupplemental-frame assemblies each presenting a handle part having ahand grip section and a stretcher part operatively connected tosaidhandle part, said stretcher part having;- transverse-- bottom andside stretcher sections which arelongitudinally movable withrespect tosaidbottomwalL-and two'pairs of pivoting means rno untedon said sidesections of said top ifjraine, said-pivoting means being longitudinallyspaced Witlr respect to eachotherand-spaced inwardly a distance"approximating one-fourth the; length of the basket from" the adjacentendWalls thereof, said-pivoting meansbeing;

operative to pi votallyconnect said paired frameas'semblies to said sidesections of said top frame, said pairedfrarn ejassernblie si beingoperative when 'manipulated in one dlrection to bring said hand gripsections of the handle parts thereof into: juxtaposed basket carryingposition and the stretchenparts thereof intobody expanding anderectingpo sitioniand'wlien manipulated in theopposite direc-- tion to'perniitfcollapse of the receptacle body.

6. A collap sible' service basketincluding in combination,a-receptaclezbody formed of-flexlble material presentingla. bottom walland enclosingiside and end walls, rigidmeans for'maintainingsaidbottom-wall in longitudinally extended position, a relatively rigidto'p'franie having'side" and endsections connected to the upper portionsof said sideand end*walls' of. said receptacle body, a pair ofsupplemental frame assemblieseach presenting a handle part having a handgrip section and a' stretcher'operatively connected to said handle part;said stretcher'part having transverse bottom and side stretcher secticnswhich' arc longitudinallvmovablewith respect'to-s'aid bottom wall; andtwo pairs ofpivoting :rneansmountedin longitudinally spaced relationwith respectto each other on-saidt top frame andspaccd inwardlyadistance' approximating onefourth the length of theba'ske'ffr'orri the'adjacent endwalls' thereof, a-said" pivoting: means beingoperative" topivotally connect the: paired franrd assemblies t'o 'sa'idside' endsections" connected to the uppenportions of said-side and end'wallssections of said top frame, said paired frame assemblies being operativewhen manipulated in one direction to bring said hand grip sections ofthe handle parts thereof into juxtaposed basket carrying position andthe stretcher parts thereof into body expanding and erecting position inan overcenter latched position with said transverse bottom sectionsthereof in engagement with said receptacle body adjacent the juncturesof said end and bottom walls and when manipulated in the oppositedirection to permit collapse of said receptacle body.

7. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible sheet material presenting a bottom wall andenclosing side and end walls, rigid means for maintaining said bottomwall in long1- tudinally extended position, a relatively rigid top framehaving side and end sections connected to the upper portions of saidside and end walls of said receptacle body, a pair of supplemental frameassemblies each presenting a handle part having a hand grip section anda U-shaped stretcher part operatively connected to said handle part,-each of said stretcher parts presenting a transverse bottom stretchersection and a pair of legs flaring outwardly therefrom, said pairedframe assemblies being pivotally connected in longitudinal spacedrelation to said side sections of said top frame, said paired frameassemblies being operative when manipulated in one direction to bringsaid hand grip sections of the handle parts thereof into juxtaposedbasket carrying position and the stretcher parts thereof into bodyexpanding and erecting position and when manipulated in the oppositedirection to permith collapse of said receptacle body, the transversebottom stretcher sections of said stretcher parts being shorter than thetransverse width of said bottom wall whereby stress on the flexiblereceptacle body is minimized during manipulation of said frameassemblies.

8. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible sheet material presenting a bottom wall andenclosing side and end walls, rigid means including a pair of stiffeningrods mounted along the junctures of said side walls and said bottom wallfor maintaining said bottom wall in longi tudinally extended position, arelatively rigid top frame having side and end sections connected to theupper portions of said side and end walls of said receptacle body, and apair of supplemental frame assemblies each presenting a stretcher part,said paired frame assemblies being pivotally connected in longitudinalspaced relation to said side sections of said top frame, said pairedframe assemblies being operative when manipulated in one direction tobring the stretcher parts thereof into body expanding and erectingposition and when manipulated in the opposite direction to permitcollapse of said receptacle body.

9. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody presenting a bottom wall and collapsible side and end walls, rigidmeans including a pair of stiflening rods mounted along the junctures ofsaid side walls and said bottom w? for maintaining said bottom wall inlongitudinally extended position, a relatively rigid top frame havingside and end sections connected to the upper portions of said side andend walls of the receptacle body, and a pair of supplemental frame astobring said hand grip sections of the handle parts therer of intojuxtaposed basket carrying position and the stretcher parts thereof intobody expanding and erecting position and when swung in the oppositedirection to permit collapse of said receptacle body.

10. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible sheet material presenting a bottom wallandenclosing side and end walls, means including a pair of stiffening rodsmounted along the junctures of said side walls and said bottom wall formaintaining said bottom wall in longitudinally extended position, arelatively rigid top frame having side 7 and end sections connected tothe upper portions of the side and end walls of the receptacle body, apair of supplemental frame assemblies each presenting a handle parthaving a hand grip section and a U-shaped stretcher part operativelyconnected to the handle part, each of said stretcher parts presenting atransverse bottom stretcher section and a pair of legs extendingoutwardly therefrom,

receptacle body, said transverse bottom'stretcher sections of saidstretcher parts being shorter than the transverse width of said bottomwall and said paired legs flaring outwardly therefrom whereby stress onthe flexible re- .ceptaele body is minimized during manipulation of saidI frame assemblies.

11. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible sheet material presenting a bottom wall and sideand end walls, a rela- 'tivelytrigid sheet liner 'removably seated onsaid bottom wall, a relatively rigid top frame connected to the upperportions of said side and end walls, a pair of supplemental frameassemblies each having a handle part with a hand grip section and astretcher part, and means for pivotally connecting said supplementalframe assemblies in longitudinally spaced relation to said top frame,said paired frame assemblies being operative when manipulated in onedirection to place said hand grip sections in juxtaposed basket carryingposition and to press said stretcher parts against said rigid sheetliner for thereby expanding said receptacle body and when manipulated tomove said hand grip sections away from each other and toward said endwalls to permit collapse of said receptacle side and end walls.

12. A collapsible. service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible sheet material presenting a bottom wall andenclosing side and end walls, means including a relatively rigid sheetliner T seated on said bottom wall for maintaining said bottom wall inlongitudinally extended position, a relatively rigid top frame havingside and end sections connected to the upper portions of the side andend walls of said flexible body, and a pair of supplemental frameassemblies each presenting a handle part having a hand grip secn'on and1 being operatively connected to a stretcher part, said paired frameassemblies being pivotally connected to the side sections of said topframe in longitudinal spaced relation,"

said paired frame assemblies being operative when'manipulated in onedirection to bring the hand grip sections of the handle parts thereofinto juxtaposed basket carrying position and the stretcher parts thereofinto body expanding and erecting position and when manipulated in permitcollapse of the receptacle the opposite direction to body.

13. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible sheet material presenting a bottom wall and sideand end enclosing v walls, a rigid sheet liner seated on said bottomwall, a rigid top frame having side and end sections connected 'to theupper portions of said vend and side enclosing walls,

a pair of supplemental frame assemblies each having a substantiallyU-shaped stretcher part with a transverse bottom section and a pair oflegs extending therefrom, means for pivotally connecting the ends ofeach paired stretcher part legs on opposite side sections of said topass-s res f connections of the other pairedstretcher"part legs,-'said ifqfl 'as mbffiesbeing operative when manipulated in one dire'c lon'tobringjthejstfetcher parts thereof t yf 'fixpa'n'ding anderecting-position and when" manipulated inthe opposite difection topermit collapse of said' receptacle bodyi p t collapsible service basketincluding in combination, a receptacle'body-formediof flexible sheetmaterial present ng a bottom wall" and enclosing side and end wallsparelativelyri'gidsheet linery'fse'atedion said bottom wallgarchtiVelYTigid top' fra ne having side and end StiQHfODncCtdT 'theupperportions; of said .sideand end walls', a pair cfsupplemental frame'assemblies "each presenting a handleparthaving a-h'and grip section anda stretcher part, said pairedframe assemblies being pivotally connectedin" longitudinally *spz'i'ed'relati'on to the side sections of said topframe .providing for expanding said receptacle body by manipulation ofsaid supplemental fr assemblies -in-one direction to bring said hand sinto juxtaposed-basket'carryin 'sition 'a'rid'sa'id sttetcher partsinto'body expanding-position and when manipulated in the oppositedirection to permit collapse of said receptacle body, and stop means oneach of said supplemental frame stretcher parts for limiting movement ofsaid hand grip sections towards each other to the predeterminedjuxtaposed carrying position.

15. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible material and presenting a bottom wall and sideand end enclosing walls, a rigid top frame having side and end sectionsconnected to the upper portions of said side and end enclosing wallsrespectively, a pair of supplemental frame assemblies, each of saidsupplemental frame assemblies having a substantially U-shaped stretcherpart with a transverse bottom section and a pair of legs extendingtherefrom, means for pivotally connecting paired stretcher part legs onopposite side sections of said top frame in longitudinally spacedrelation to the pivotal connections of the other paired stretcher partlegs, said supplemental frame assemblies each having a substantiallyU-shaped handle part formed with a hand grip section and a pair of legsextending therefrom, means for pivotally connecting said handle partlegs intermediate the ends thereof to said top frame side sectionsadjacent to and spaced inwardly from said stretcher part leg pivotalconnections, and means for connecting the inner end of each of saidhandle part legs pivotally and longitudinally slidably to anintermediate section of the stretcher part leg adjacent thereto, saidpaired frame assemblies being operative When manipulated in onedirection to place said hand grip sections in juxtaposition and saidstretcher parts into body expanding position and when manipulated in theopposite direction to permit collapse of said receptacle body, the lowerends of said stretcher part legs beyond the intermediate section thereofextending angularly inwardly for more compactly collapsing saidreceptacle body.

16. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible sheet material presenting a bottom Wall andenclosing side and end walls, means including a relatively rigid sheetliner seated on said bottom wall for maintaining said bottom wall inlongitudinally extended position, a relatively rigid top frame havingside and end sections connected to the upper portions of the side andend walls of said flexible body, and a pair of supplemental frameassemblies each having a handle part with a hand grip section and anU-shaped stretcher part with a transverse bottom section and a pair oflegs extending therefrom, means pivotally mounting the ends of each pairof said stretcher part legs on opposite side sections of said top framein longitudinally spaced relation to the pivotal mounting of the otherpair of said stretcher part legs, means pivotally connecting each ofsaid handle parts on said top frame 1 4 longitudinally spacedbetiveeii'= the '-'other' part pivotal connectingniean's andFonepf ais eleg'pivotalmoiintings, nieanspivotally andlofigitu rially slidablyconnecting eacli'of said han'dle-pa'rtsj to" anif" termediatesectionjofthe adjacent stfetcher re Shawnee frame assembliesf be'ing operativewhen swn' g one direction tobring said hand" grip sections 0 he h'an'dleparts thereof into" juxtaposed basket carrying position and the'stretcher partsthereofinto body xpandjng'anrerecting position andwhensvvun'gin t-lielo'pposite direc tion to permitcollapseof;the'receptacle body, the lower" ends of said stretcher partlegsbeyondsaid jinterniediate'l sections thereof extending angnlarlyipwardly therefrom for'more compactly eonapsing said receptacle bodyi'isaid bottom wall fon'maintm longitudinally*extendd" position,

A" collapsible service basket in'c;ludiiig 'i'n coni-bina-' tion, areceptacle body formed "of-'fl' 'ble sheet material'- presentingabott'oni wall and enclbsi and'end wans," means including a, relatively'rigi liner'seated err bottom wall-in a? relatively' rigidtepfran'iehavingside an end 'se'ctions coiinected'gto the upp'en'portions or the' side' atid end'walls of s'aid flexible body, and a pairof supplemental frame assemblies each presenting a handle part having ahand grip section and a substantially U-shaped stretcher part With atransverse bottom section and a pair of legs extending therefrom, meansfor pivotally mounting the ends of the paired stretcher part legs onopposite side sections of said top frame in longitudinally spacedrelation to the pivotal mountings of the other paired stretcher partlegs, means for operatively connecting said handle parts to saidstretcher part legs, said paired frame assemblies being operative whenswung in one direct-ion to bring the stretcher parts thereof into bodyexpanding and erecting position and when swung in the opposite directionto permit collapse of the receptacle body, stop means on said stretcherpart legs for limiting the swing of said frame assemblies in the basketerecting direction to a position with said hand grip sections injuxtaposed basket carrying positions.

18. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of flexible sheet material presenting a bottom wall andenclosing side and end walls, means including a relatively rigid sheetliner seated on said bottom wall for maintaining said bottom wall inlongitudinally extended position, a relatively rigid top frame havingside and end sections connected to the upper portions of the side andend walls of said flexible body, and a pair of supplemental frameassemblies each presenting a substantially U-shaped handle part and asubstantially U-shaped stretcher part, said stretcher part having atransverse bottom section and a pair of legs extending therefrom, meansfor pivotally mounting the ends of said paired stretcher part legs onopposite side sections of said top frame in longitudinally spacedrelation to the pivotal mounting of the other of said stretcher partlegs, said handle part having a transverse hand grip section and a pairof legs extending therefrom, means for pivotally connecting said handlepart legs intermediate the ends thereof to opposite side sections ofsaid top frame longitudinally spaced between the other of said handlepart pivotal connecting means and one of said stretcher part leg pivotalmountings, means for pivotally and longitudinally slidably connectingthe end of each handle part leg to an intermediate section of theadjacent stretcher part leg, said paired frame assemblies beingpivotally connected in longitudinal spaced relation to the side sectionsof said top frame, said paired frame assemblies being operative whenswung in one direction to bring said hand grip sections of the handleparts thereof into juxtaposed basket carrying position and the stretcherparts thereof into body expanding and erecting position and when swungin the opposite direction to permit collapse of the receptacle body,stop means on each of said stretcher part legs formed by an angularoffset projection for limiting the upward sliding movement of saidpivotal and slidable handle part leg connecting means thereon to aposition wherein said hand grip sections are in the juxtaposed basketcarrying positions.

19. A collapsible service basket including in combination, a receptaclebody formed of'flexible sheet material presenting a bottom wall andenclosing side and end walls, means including a relatively rigid sheetliner seated on said bottom wall for maintaining said bottom wall inlongitudinally extended position, a relatively rigid top frame havingside and end sections connected to the upper portions of the side andend walls of said flexible body, and a pair of supplemental frameassemblies each presenting a substantially U-shaped handle part and asubstantially U-shaped stretcher part having a transverse bottom sectionand a pair of legs extending therefrom, means for pivotally connectingthe ends of said paired stretcher part legs to opposite side sections ofsaid top frame in longitudinally spaced relation to the pivotalconnections of the other of said paired stretcher part legs, saidsubstantially U shaped handle part having a hand grip section and a pairof legs extending therefrom, means for pivot-ally connecting said pairedhandle part legsintermediate the ends thereof to opposite'side sectionsof said top frame, said pivotal connecting means for each paired handlepart legs being longitudinally spaced between the other of said handlepart leg pivotal connecting means and one of said stretcherpart legpivotal connections, and means for connecting the end of each handlepart leg pivotally and longitudinally slidably to an interand erectingposition and when swung in the opposite direction to permit collapse ofthe receptacle body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS706,426 Langston 'Aug. 5, 1902 i 1,148,761 Day Aug. 3, 1915 I 1,942,771Phillips Jan. 9, 1934

